Corner fitting for swing frames



Dec. 7, 1954 p TA 2,696,396

CORNER FITTING FOR SWING FRAMES Filed Dec. 20, 1952 NTOR \ I h 4', auzjs Fa fz i u aa B E flaw. 22.

ATTORNEY.

I center or United States Patent Q 2,696,396 CORNER FITTING FOR SWING FRAMES Louis Pittaluga, Willow Grove, Pa. Application December 20, 1952, Serial No. 327,064 2 Claims. (Cl. 28754) The present invention relates to metal fittings and more particularly to a corner fitting for use in assembling the cross bar and legs of a swing frame or any frame structure supported by legs.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a corner fitting which is not only cheap to manufacture but can be assembled with A still further object is to provide a corner fitting having a plurality of sockets leading angularly from a common junction together with two radially arranged webs integral with each socket and alined with the juncion.

A further object is to provide a corner fitting formed from a sheet metal disc to provide three arcuate webs having radial portions emanating from a common center, the outer ends of each pair of webs forming a rodreceiving tubular socket.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a plan of a one-piece corner as formed by die stamping, pressing, or bending from a disc of metal; Fig. 2 represents a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the corner as positioned for the insertion of parts to be associated therewith; and Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the corner as positioned like Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the fitting of the invention is formed from a relatively thin metal disc, preferably circular, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, comprises three by three webs 13, 14, and 15, respectively between the respective pairs of sockets, As a result of this pressing or bending, each web straddles the space between its pair of sockets and is depressed to substantially a V-shape, so that the apices of the three webs terminate in relatively close proximity and generally radially with respect to the common junction of the sockets. Thus, we 13 has a radial apex has a radial apex 17; and web 15 has a radial The webs 13, 14, and 15, as viewed in Fig. 1, are substantially in the form of a Y following in medial alinement the angularity of the three sockets.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the sockets and webs are complete continuations of one piece metal, with each web opposite an adjacent web in slightly spaced radial relation to provide clearances for take-up purposes. Each pair of adjacent Webs at one extremity forms one of the aforesaid sockets for respectively receivbar and legs of a swing when the latter is For such swing assembly the cross bar-receiving socket in its relation to the leg-receiving sockets 11 and 12 is such as to be positioned in a horizontal position while the leg sockets diverge downwardly and rearwardly from the socket 10 at such an angle as will brace the legs to resist both endwise and side distortion of the assembled swing frame.

In order to lock a cross bar 20 and legs 21 when assembled in the respective sockets, bolts 22, 23, and 24 are provided, each passing through one pair of the webs. Thus, the bolt 22 is to pass through properly located alined holes 25 in the webs 13 and 15; the bolt 23 is to pass through like alined holes 26 in the webs 13 and 14; and the bolt 24 through like alined holes 27 in the webs 14 and 15. Thus, with the respective parts in the three sockets the bolts can be tightened to draw tl'ie webs into clamping relation and so look the corner in p ace.

While the corner of the present invention is primarily for assembling outdoor swing frames, it is adaptable for other frames or the like. By reason of the one-piece assembly, providing leg or bar sockets with rigid webs conforming to the angularity of the sockets, a rugged unit is produced particularly adapted to resist horizontal, vertical, and angular applied forces. The several webs function as cross struts lying respectively in radial planes merging into the respective sockets. By using two corners, a swing frame can be quickly made at small initial cost, it being only necessary to obtain a cross bar of and four legs, the former being inserted at its opposite ends into the respective sockets 10 of the corners, and likewise inserting the legs in the two pairs of sockets 11 and 12. When the legs and bar are in place, the several bolts are tightened to form a complete stable assembly.

In the foregoing specification and claims the word disc is to be interpreted in a broad sense because the corner of the invention can be pressed from a sheet of metal regardless of a circular or other perimeter. A circular disc is preferable because there is little waste of material.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A corner reinforcement and clamping fitting for interconnecting the adjacent ends of three rod-like members, comprising a single sheet metal clamping member having a central imperforate cap portion, three socket members extending from said cap portion and lying in different planes and angularly with respect to each other and having a common vertex, each of said socket members being tubular and including a narrow slot extending longitudinally of each socket member, a web portion extending outwardly from each slot on each side thereof to form oppositely disposed web portions, each web portion at the corresponding side of the slots of any two adjacent socket members being joined together adjacent said imperforate cap portion to form a continuous web portion extending along the corresponding side of the slots of said two adjacent socket members, and means for securing the opposite web portions together to clamp a rod-like member within each socket member.

2. A corner reinforcement and clamping fitting for interconnecting the adjacent ends of three rod-like members as defined in claim 1 in which each of said socket members comprises an arcuate portion forming a complete circle except for the narrow slot extending longitudinally thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

